Parishes were invited to bring items to the Convention Eucharist that represents their relationship to the communities they serve. The items were varied and sometimes unusual: a set of chains, a basket of laundry, a hot dog hat, running shoes, a swimming pool (for Baptisms), and more. Here’s the complete list of what was brought… and why:
A basket of clothes represents how St. Peter’s, Blairsville, provides detergent and quarters, fellowship and prayer – and occasionally Communion – to transient families at the local laundromat.
Canned goods are collected by All Saints, Brighton Heights, for food banks and afterschool programs, and a soup pot is used for its free Soup Saturdays for neighbors.
A large set of chains signifies St. Peter’s, Brentwood’s work to break the “chains of addiction.”
A turkey platter symbolizes Advent, Brookline’s serving of hundreds of free Christmas Day meals in partnership with neighboring churches.
A tray from Atonement, Carnegie, holds items that are part of its hospitality and healing ministries, and musical instruments come from the Open Mic programs it hosts.
A baby blanket and rattle offered by Nativity, Crafton, represents its partnership with Jeremiah’s Place, which provides emergency daycare and family support.
A large bowl contains items that represent a sampling of St. Brendan’s, Franklin Park’s outreach, particularly through ESL for Immigrants, the North Hills Food Bank,
Miryam’s Shelter, the Pittsburgh Pride Parade, and the Community of Hope “Under One Roof” support group for multi-generational households.
A package of towels are among items St. Andrew’s, Highland Park, provides to Off the Floor, which distributes home goods and furnishings to disadvantaged families.
An old, worn wooden spoon represents how St. Matthew’s, Homestead, for generations has been feeding the body and nurturing the heart and soul by its ministries.
A copy of “New Hope Rising” details Holy Cross, Homewood’s renewed focus on outreach activities from December 2017 through August 2018.
A poster depicts Christ Church, Indiana’s affiliation with Family Promise, through which the parish provides meals and fellowship to families at the homeless shelter. Also, a hot dog hat represents its Homecoming Hot Dog Giveaway and other forms of hospitality; a tee shirts for its many collaborations with local Lutherans, and a candle from vigils and rallies for social justice.
The ceramic cup and plate are used at The Rev. Dan Isadore’s Zoe Home Eucharists, where he and Hallie build relationships among young adults through Sacrament, Word, and lots of food.
A Halloween pumpkin comes from Advent, Jeannette’s annual Trick or Treat Open House, which began after an act of vandalism, and grew into a ministry of hospitality and “grandparenting.”
Bags of pet supplies are provided by St. Mark’s, Johnstown, at its Pet Food Pantry.
A backpack from St. Michael’s, Ligonier, symbolizes its support of The Neighborhood Academy serving low-income youth in Pittsburgh.
Chrism and a service booklet are used at St. Stephen’s, McKeesport’s healing services.
A scarf presented by St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon, was made by a member of a refugee family the parish is helping to resettle. The tool bucket is used on Mission Trips. A well-worn child’s scooter symbolizes the 60-plus years of quality early childhood education provided by the St. Paul’s Nursery School.
Running shoes were worn for Christ Church, North Hills’s annual Run for Thy Neighbor 5k, this year benefiting Hearth’s transitional housing ministry for local mothers. Photos show children being nurtured by Mustard Seed ministries in Rwanda, which the parish supports.
An icon from Emmanuel, North Side, depicts God with us, Jesus the Emmanuel.
A soup ladle comes from St. Thomas, Northern Cambria, which serves soup and sandwiches as part of the Northern Cambria Ministerium.
Tee shirts, a stethoscope, and sign show St. Thomas, Oakmont’s commitment to mission trips, its new Health and Wellness Ministry, and Strawberry Patch Day Care.
A swimming pool is used by St. James, Penn Hills, for its “no strings” baptisms on the lawn, a way for community members to respond to having been “invited to Jesus.”
A yard sign advertises St. David’s, Peters Township’s hosting of a Farmers Market for local growers and vendors.
Food and personal care items are handed out at Trinity Cathedral’s downtown Walk-in Ministry, sponsored by the diocese and several parishes.
A poster promotes Redeemer, Squirrel Hill’s, Great Issues Forum, currently focusing on gun violence, mental health, and the law.
A photo display shows how St. Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg’s hosting of the Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program allows students to find their musical and artistic expression.
Other items might be presented at the Convention Eucharist and are not reflected on this list, and parishes have many other outreach ministries beyond those mentioned above.